Melinda Karen Creech was 13 when she was last seen in Anderson, Indiana, on September 5, 1979. She had run away before and had been placed in the Bronnenberg Children’s Home after being caught stealing motorcycles. Two months later, when police returned to question her about another matter, Melinda was gone from the facility and it is unclear when or how she disappeared.

In the 1990s Melinda’s mother, Shirley, told the family a decomposed body found on the East Coast had been identified as Melinda. After Shirley died in 2003, letters surfaced showing the dental records did not match, and the case was reopened in 2004. There has been no activity on Melinda’s Social Security number since 1979 and her disappearance remains officially unsolved.

If anyone knew Melinda, saw her around September 1979, or has information that could help, please contact the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.